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Zero tail test
In-house thinning: It still works!
Hybrid harvesting update
contents
NOVEMBER 2022
4
34
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FOREST TALK Forestry in the hands of local government?; Heavy fines for “careless” harvest; A monopolistic market?; “Trees are the solution”; Prototype log grabs impress; Growth despite challenges for CentrePort; Proven harvesting head control; Forestry hub for Fieldays; Compact and nimble; Spotlight on Northland’s forestry heroes; From the boardroom to the bush.
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SHAW’S WIRE ROPES IRON TEST The John Deere 859MH is pulling its weight at G. White Logging. Iron Tester, Shaun Field, says the zero tail “makes a huge difference” in manoeuvring through the trees. That’s just one feature of this impressive beast.
34
SILVICULTURE When Aratu Forests first considered the idea of rolling the clock back 40 years to create an in-house thinning crew, it seemed a risky strategy. The results, however, have put all concerns to rest.
42
SPECIAL FEATURE The paintwork on New Zealand’s first diesel-electric harvester is still shiny after nearly a year of hard work. We checked in with the Logset 8H GTE diesel-electric hybrid wheeled harvester at Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting in Balclutha to see how it’s going. DEPARTMENTS 2 editorial 46 fica 48 top spot 51 Sweeney Townsend New Iron 56 classifieds
November 2022 | NZ LOGGER 1
from the editor
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Zero tail test
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PHOTO: TIM BENSEMAN
November 2022
In-house thinning: It still works!
Hybrid harvesting update
G. White Logging operator, Clint Maxwell, is enjoying being in the hot seat of the John Deere 859MH.
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Back to front AS WE NEAR THE END OF ANOTHER TUMULTUOUS YEAR WHERE VIRTUAL conferences gave way to real ones, log prices continue to fluctuate and worker shortages became more challenging, the hurdles keep on coming. We go to print on the back of the farmers’ Groundswell NZ protest against Government’s new agricultural emissions pricing plan, and in the midst of a tangle of governmental legislation and proposals for our own industry (which we attempt to unweave on our Forest Talk pages). Of course, our primary industries are intertwined and those in the forestry industry are watching the protest and its outcome closely, keeping in mind the potential knock-on effect on forestry legislation. While there is debate whether much of the recent proposed legislation is taking the industry backwards or forwards, our features this month demonstrate that New Zealand foresters keep on innovating – in both directions! In-house thinning is making an impressive comeback at Gisborne’s Aratu Forests, with a well-incentivised and highly motivated crew keeping safety and production top of mind. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s a taste of the future, with Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting’s Logset 8H GTE diesel-electric hybrid wheeled harvester continuing to impress. Of course, machines don’t work without the people behind them, and the Mike Hurring Training School is still churning out skilled workers. That’s because no matter the level of talk and debate, the hard work continues in the forest. Take this month’s Iron Test for example. The John Deere 859MH zero tail swing tethered levelling harvester is surprisingly stable and nimble for its size – not unlike our industry. So, while we look forward to seeing what the new year will bring, right now the December break is looking quite welcoming – a well-deserved one for all the hard-working men and women who make the Ngahere their daily office. Until next time, stay safe.
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forest talk
Forestry in the hands of local government? GOVERNMENT HAS ASKED FOR FEEDBACK ON A PROPOSAL THAT local government have “more discretion to decide on the location, scale, type and management of plantation and exotic carbon forests in their districts”. They say this is a bid to improve the way New Zealand manages forestry “to ensure it works for nature, the climate, local communities, and our economy”. Government says the consultation is a step toward delivering the Labour Party Manifesto commitment to empower local councils to decide which land can be used for plantation and carbon forests through the resource consent process. The proposals include broadening the control by local authorities over the planting of exotic forests in their districts, including whether to widen the scope of the regulations to include permanent exotic afforestation (exotic carbon forests), with the opening of public consultation on the National Environmental Statement for Plantation Forests (NES-PF). “This consultation supports the Government’s aim to balance the type and scale of afforestation happening across New Zealand – to get the right tree in the right place,” says Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor. ”We are addressing concerns about the impacts to the environment and on rural communities from the potential conversion of productive farmland to exotic carbon forests. “The forestry sector makes an important contribution to our economy, communities, and the environment and it is vital that the sector grows in a way that is productive and sustainable. This step helps build a high value, high wage and low emissions future for New Zealand. “We are seeing greater investment in forestry due to the significant increase in the carbon price, forestry’s role in reaching our emissions reduction goals, and demand for wood products,” adds Minister of Forestry, Stuart Nash. “However, large-scale change in land use for exotic carbon forestry, if left unchecked and without any management oversight or requirements, has the potential for unintended impacts on the environment, rural communities, and regional economies. “We’re seeking feedback on options for giving local councils more control over which land can be used for afforestation including both plantation and exotic carbon forests, through the resource consent process. Councils would be able to decide based on social and economic factors which are specific to their areas and communities,” Mr Nash says. “Uncontrolled planting of permanent forestry undermines the sustainability of rural communities. That’s why the Government has expanded Labour’s Manifesto commitment, and wants to give local councils the ability to determine where and to what extent exotic carbon forests can be planted across all land classes,” Associate
Minister of Local Government Kieran McAnulty adds. “Local councils know their communities best, and I encourage everyone, rural and urban, to submit to allow their council to permit exotic carbon forestry in a way the community wants.” Combined approach Minister of Climate Change, James Shaw, says that it is crucial to make sure the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry and the Emissions Trading Scheme work together to deliver Government priorities on climate action and biodiversity. “Planting trees is no replacement for reducing gross emissions. Even so, the NES-PF and the Emissions Trading Scheme still have to work together to make sure the settings are right for restoring and replanting native forests. It will take some time to get this right, but that is what we are working to achieve. “Right now, the rules put in place by previous Governments are not working. A rising price for carbon credits has created a strong financial incentive to establish new exotic forestry plantations. At the same time, the NES for Plantation Forestry doesn’t apply to permanent exotic forests. “Now we have New Zealand’s first ever plan in place to cut climate pollution in every part of the country – backed with $4.5 billion of investment – we need to make sure forestry is done in an environmentally sound way. The forestry sector needs to contribute to emissions reduction, better environmental outcomes, and a resilient rural economy,” says Mr Shaw. Ministers also confirmed that the Government will maintain its long-term goal of enabling permanent forests to transition to natives over time. Further work will need to be done to determine the best way to achieve this. To allow time for this work to be completed, and following consultation, the permanent forest category will remain unchanged for now and come into effect on 1 January 2023. “Exotic afforestation is a key component of New Zealand’s response to climate change. However, increasing carbon prices in the NZ ETS may lead to higher-than-expected levels of exotic carbon forestry,” Mr Nash says. A group of Māori and other technical forestry experts will help redesign the settings of the ETS permanent forestry category so it better supports long-term indigenous carbon sinks, he adds. “For decades, successive Governments have tried to deal with our biodiversity and climate crises separately. But the reality is, neither will be successfully resolved unless both are tackled together. This is why we need to make sure we are genuinely reducing emissions, while also enabling restoration and replanting of our native forests, in which our indigenous wildlife can thrive – and that we are doing so in a way that works for tangata whenua,” says Mr Shaw. These changes are intended to come into effect from 1 January 2025. NZL
4 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
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forest talk
Heavy fines for “careless” harvest CONVICTIONS AND FINES HAVE BEEN IMPOSED FOR Environmental damage caused by a “highly careless” pine woodlot harvest and associated earthworks on a farm in northern Waikato, totalling more than $100,000. Forestry company, Glenn Martin, and forestry harvest contractor, Radiata Harvesting (2017) and staff were convicted and sentenced in the Auckland District Court last month on a total of 11 charges against the Resource Management Act. The prosecution taken by the Waikato Regional Council related to activities from April 2019 through to January 2020 that resulted in over four kilometres of poorly constructed forestry tracking, along with numerous stream crossings. These actions negatively impacted streams in the area through the discharge of tree waste material and sediment. Glenn Martin and Radiata Harvesting (2017) were each convicted of four charges and sentenced to fines totalling $45,000. Auckland resident and harvest foreman, Frederick Hunia, was convicted of two charges and sentenced to fines totalling $5000. Pōkeno
earthworks contractor, Peter Arnet, was convicted of one charge and fined $9750. In sentencing in Auckland, District Court Judge, Melinda Dickey, characterised the forestry harvest as “highly careless, bordering on reckless”. Waikato Regional Council’s Regional Compliance Manager, Patrick Lynch, says: “The environmental effects of forestry activities are regulated through a national environmental standard. This standard has now been in place for some years, and the forestry industry will notice an increased focus by us on compliance with it. “Where landowners or forestry contractors deviate from these national regulations, resulting in adverse environmental outcomes, they can expect enforcement action to be taken.” He adds: “The forestry harvest management was very poor in this instance. Sediment is one of the main pollutants that adversely affects water quality, in this case the headwaters of the Ohaeroa Stream and ultimately the Waikato River.” NZL
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forest talk
A monopolistic market? time needed to achieve real change planned for 2035 and FOREST OWNERS ASSOCIATION (FOA) PRESIDENT, GRANT 2050. Dodson, says the suggestion by Climate Change Minister “Countless independent studies have all come James Shaw to centralise buying carbon credits in to the same conclusion; we must have more tree central government, and decoupling the Emissions planting because the need to soak up carbon and Trading Scheme (ETS) from forestry, is a message that cool the planet is now very urgent. Failure to have trees are irrelevant to fighting climate change. these new forests will result in New Zealand buying Speaking to media, Mr Shaw said the Government units from offshore, in other words the taxpayer will was exploring forestry’s place in the ETS and “One pay an overseas entity to plant trees or reduce carbon, option was the Government became a buyer – or even the FOA President, rather than invest the money here in New Zealand. exclusive purchaser – of units from forest owners.” Grant Dodson. “If Government suddenly becomes the sole purchaser Mr Dodson says while he agrees that forest planting of forestry units, as suggested by Minister Shaw, this should not delay any actions to reduce the overall output of greenhouse gas emissions, there is a limit to how much gross emissions sends a very strong message to potential new forest investors they can be reduced, either by 2035 or by 2050, without “knee-capping” the will only have a monopolistic market in which to sell. Removing New Zealand economy. If we had started earlier, with greater commitment the free market mechanism for forestry units would slash investor by successive governments, we might not be in this position, but we are. confidence. A lack of investment would drive New Zealand towards “Forestry can buy us time to meet those targets. Countless independent a certain failure to meet the Climate Change Commission target: studies have all concluded we must plant fast-growing trees because to plant an additional 380,000 hectares of exotic and 300,000 the need to soak up carbon is now very urgent. Or we don’t meet our hectares of native forest estate. “Meeting our international targets is a huge challenge for New targets.” The Climate Change Commission has stated forests are the only option Zealand. We are concerned Government tinkering with rules and available now for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at scale. policy changes creates additional uncertainty in the market. The It has assessed an additional 380,000 hectares of exotics must be changes required in business practices as well as land use are not tinkering at the margin. Business-as-usual is not an option. planted by 2035 to meet five-year carbon budgets. Mr Dodson says planting is at about that level: “But now the government Abandoning or falling short of our targets is an option, but we should is floating ideas to drive the planting rate down again. This will happen expect an unsympathetic response from our export markets if we do. “If Minister Shaw believes there are too many NZU’s in the market, if the government decides it will be the sole purchaser of forestry units and thus control price. It’ll be as successful as when the government took then we suggest they stop providing ‘hot air’ NZU’s each quarter to auction to polluters. These NZU’s are equivalent to the Government over meat exports through the Meat Board in the mid-1980s.” The President of the Farm Forestry Association, Graham West, adds printing cash. “We agree if the level of planting exceeds what the Climate Change that integrating farming and forestry on the same property can make for Commission recommends then planting can back off and the policy a more profitable farm operation. “Many members of the Farm Forestry Association have been planting levers may need adjusting but we see no evidence to suggest we are trees on 10-20% of their farm. With the right policies and encouragement, anywhere near that happy place. “What we have with Minister Shaw’s proposal to nationalise farmers will make a major contribution to meet our carbon targets and Forestry units is yet another signal to long-term investors the earn timber income as well,” he says. Mr Dodson points to the report just issued by the Parliamentary government is having a re-think about the ETS rules. If the plan was Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, which raises concerns to sow doubt and slow down planting then it has probably achieved about the volume of agricultural methane, which will remain in the its aim.” Last word environment after 2050, even if methane reduction goals are met. “Mr Upton directly says huge areas of exotic forestry need to be Māori Climate Commissioner, Donna Aware Huata, adds that Climate planted just to offset this methane. Other than de-stocking, he doesn’t Change Minister James Shaw’s admission that the Government is considering becoming the exclusive purchaser of carbon units from see alternatives to using trees to offset.” Both say that it will be hard for New Zealand to meet its international forest owners ‘highlights a clear plan to nationalise the earnings from the Māori green economy and force owners of whenua Māori targets. Mr Dodson adds, “Changes in technology, business practice, and into a new dependence on the Crown”. She says whether this is dangerous speculation designed to land-use are all vital and all way beyond tinkering at the margin. “But what we have right now is yet another signal to would-be forest soften the market for change or a clear plan to nationalise the investors that the government is weak on the real means to fight climate earning of foresters around the country, the assertion should be a wakeup call for every Māori forest owner. change.” “Shaw’s proposal would see the Government take total control Sowing doubt As always, the New Zealand Institute of Forestry doesn’t mince its words. over the carbon market,” says Commissioner Awatere Huata. “They would set the price, control the volume and ultimately take They had this to say in a statement titled, ‘Don’t trees remove carbon any real profit from the credits earned by Māori landowners and from the atmosphere Minister?’: “New forest planting is no excuse for polluters to delay reducing their foresters for themselves – effectively reducing any real opportunity emissions, however we agree with the Climate Change Commission: the Māori have to build on the opportunities of the green economy.” The potential impact to Māori in terms of lost investment and nation needs time in the quest to reduce carbon use. Recent studies show planting new forests (exotic or native) helps to buy the valuable earnings is estimated to be up to $16 billion, she says. NZL 6 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
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forest talk
“Trees are the solution” THE FOREST OWNERS ASSOCIATION (FOA) SAYS THE highlighting of biogenic methane discharges, in a report recently issued by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, is alarming and urgently calls for forest planting solutions to buy New Zealand time. The report, issued by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, is titled: ‘How much forestry would be needed to offset warming from agricultural methane’. FOA President, Grant Dodson, says the report reveals that the warming effect of New Zealand’s livestock methane since 1850 is greater than the combined effect of both of New Zealand’s other major greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide – in the same period. “It obviously cannot be swept under some metaphorical carpet as a short-lived gas, if we are to meet warming emissions reduction targets. Ongoing emissions create a new problem. “The report says if the Climate Change Commission’s demonstration path of reducing greenhouse gas emissions were to be met, including the highest methane target reduction of 47% from 2017, by 2050, then methane would be responsible for threequarters of all our warming emissions by 2100.” Mr Dodson says the forestry industry has no issues with Simon Upton’s statement that other means of reducing methane emissions at source, such as vaccines or breeding low emitting stock, are vital first options. “We agree with farmers that they need access to CRISPR technology for gene editing to lower methane emissions, just as we need it to solve the wilding conifer problem by selectively turning off seeding fertility in some minor species. “But we also agree with Simon Upton that until these other options are sufficiently advanced, taking carbon out of the atmosphere is something New Zealand does have the ability to do through tree planting. “A formula for planting plantations of pines at scale, is also essential. The Parliamentary Environment Commissioner has 8 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
correctly concluded that native trees are nice, but are too slow at building a carbon sink to be used for this purpose, even though there are other reasons for wanting an increase in native tree planting. “He also dismisses riparian strips and woodlot areas as ‘minimal’.” Simon Upton says new planting of 26,000 hectares a year through to 2050, would only manage to offset 10% of remaining methane emissions. “This additional planting rate is above the new planting average for the past five years of about 22,000 hectares a year, so is quite achievable,” Mr Dodson says. “But if 60% of the remaining methane were to be offset, a planting rate of 77,000 hectares a year would be needed. “Trees are clearly the solution we need here and now, while technology evolves to tackle emissions at source. But the problem remains that every time the tree solution is suggested we get voices campaigning against land use change. “New Zealand is rapidly running out of time to meet its emission targets for 2030 and those farmers opposed to change need to realise that the alternative is severe carbon-based tariffs for their products exported to key European markets in particular. “This is already written into trade agreements. There is no hiding under the daggs for farming and the problem needs addressing. Forestry is the only practical solution until technology catches up. “Forest growth in the long term is well proven to deliver an on average higher economic value than sheep and beef farming. But in the short-term, we agree, care needs to be taken to maintain communities through the transition. “Fortunately, the just released Forest and Wood Processing Transformation Plan does have a focus on developing timber processing in just the regions which are economically struggling at present. “Not only can forestry offer a climate solution, but it offers a viable rural industry bringing proven employment and wealth to New Zealand,” he says. NZL
forest talk
Prototype log grabs impress NAPIER PORT’S NEW LOG GRABS ARE A significant safety improvement for log loading operations on port and are set to enable operational efficiencies with an increased throughput of logs, says CEO Todd Dawson. “Not only is it a boost in productivity for vessels calling to Napier, loading logs onto charter vessels also represents a new service offering and revenue stream to Napier Port.” This follows a successful trial in which the Port’s senior crane operators safely loaded logs onto the Norse Mobile bulk cargo vessel using log grabs custom-designed and built for use on the port’s existing mobile harbour cranes. “Alongside our new log debarking facility, and other infrastructure projects in the pipeline, we are continuing to develop and invest in efficient cargo solutions for our customers and create greater value right across our operations,” says Mr Dawson. The port’s bulk cargo and crane teams
worked closely with Page Macrae Engineering to develop the prototype log grabs to suit the specific operational requirements at Napier Port. Introducing log grab infrastructure to
port operations reduces the need to rely on a ship’s own smaller cranes to load logs and will also allow Napier Port to welcome log vessels that don’t have cranes at all. NZL
Grooved Drums and Sleeves
DIAGNOSE • DESIGN • DELIVER
forest talk
Growth despite challenges for CentrePort WHILE CENTREPORT ACHIEVED A SOLID RESULT FOR FISCAL Year 22 (FY22) the COVID-19 related impacts that emerged in 2020 continued into a second year, with global and local supply chain disruptions. Chief Executive, Anthony Delaney, says: “That contributed to budgeted growth in the main trades – containers, logs and fuel – not being achieved with volumes slightly down on the previous year. Vehicles bucked the trend with record volumes for the Port. “Container volumes of 89,892 TEU were 25 down on last year. Global and local supply chains continued to be significantly disrupted as a result of the ongoing pandemic. “Log export volumes of 1.74 million JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard) was 65 down on last year’s record total. Log exports were impacted by decreased demand and high inventory levels in the Chinese market during the year. “Fuel import volumes of 885k tonnes was 55 down due primarily to lower aviation fuel demand,” says Mr Delaney. Nonetheless, CentrePort recorded an underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) which excludes Kaikōura earthquake-related items, changes in fair value, abnormal items and the tax impacts of these items – of $8.0m compared to $7.2m in FY21. Revenue was $84.2m compared to $80.2m the previous year. The increased revenue and good cost management resulted in a 20.7% increase in net cash flows from operating activities. A dividend of $6m (FY21: $5m excluding a special dividend of $15m) was paid to shareholders Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons Regional Council. Chair, Lachie Johnstone, says the Health and Safety of CentrePort’s people, and those they work with and who use the port facilities, is integral to the port’s operations. “Employee engagement and empowerment has resulted in continuous improvement in our health and safety culture over a period of years. “In May CentrePort welcomed the joint Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) assessment by Maritime New Zealand and WorkSafe and supports the Tripartite Ports Health and Safety Leadership 10 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
Group, including the development of a Code of Practice. “Overall, CentrePort performed well in the assessment, with documented procedures consistent with practice and vice versa. This reflects CentrePort’s philosophy of engaging with our workers and giving them full support to stop work if it looks or feels unsafe, or for them to stop others. Our people are empowered to develop and review the way we operate including investment into our critical risk,” he says. Mr Johnstone adds that CentrePort introduced new capacity into, and enhanced resilience of, the New Zealand logistics supply chain system. This will help alleviate pressures for shippers and shipping lines being experienced in other ports. “The new partnership with Port Marlborough announced in June creates supply chain solutions for customers in the Marlborough region. This will see the creation of a cargo hub, operational by 2024, with road and rail links to Port Marlborough. “The catastrophic weather that hit the Nelson/Marlborough region this year reinforced the need for greater resilience in the supply chain, and wider options for importers and exporters which this new venture will provide. “We continued investment in the existing inland hub network including the joint venture with Direct Connect in Whanganui and the log hub at Waingawa.” CentrePort continued implementation of its energy strategy with the goal of the port being carbon neutral by 2040. This included the first full year of operation of the seven electric container movement vehicles, and the continued rollout of LED lighting towers. NZL Cargo
Unit
FY22
FY21
Change %
Logs
JAS
1,737,422
1,841,877
-6%
Containers
TEU (20-foot equivalent unit)
89,892
91,900
-2%
Vehicles
Units
29,098
24,501
+19%
Petroleum
Tonnes
884,905
934,451
-5%
forest talk
Proven harvesting head control THE TIGERCAT D7 CONTROL SYSTEM COMBINES A SOLID AND field-proven hardware and bucking control system with a Tigercatdeveloped head control and user interface. The system offers powerful functionality, simplicity and intuitive operator navigation, says Tigercat. There are two types of bucking control available for the D7. Priority-based bucking logic utilises a list of operator-entered log specification sizes to determine how best to process the tree. D7 Optimisation level uses a value-based logic. Using multiple layers of matrices correlating price, demand, and production limits to each log size under each tree species, the control system optimises each processed tree to achieve the best value. These matrices are usually programmed by the timber buyer. Both Tigercat D7 Priority and Optimisation levels offer StanForD Classic, StanForD 2010, and PDF production reporting based on contracts, operators, species, and product groups. The reports provide total quantity and volume, as well as per species and product group quantities and volume. Reports can be viewed on screen, or exported for later analysis. D7 also sends production volume data to RemoteLog, Tigercat’s optional telematics system. D7 can be equipped with a GPS receiver and the GeoInfo software. This provides an active navigation application using the machine’s current position on a georeferenced map. Work site maps can
be viewed on the in-cab display screen, allowing the operator to easily view the site layout, track the movement of the machine, and view production information. Restricted areas can be marked with boundary alarms. D7 is currently available for the Tigercat 534 harvesting head. NZL
forest talk
Forestry hub for Fieldays VISITORS TO FIELDAYS 2022 WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO learn about the forestry sector from more than 40 sector organisations and companies under one roof. Under the theme of ‘Wood – our low-carbon future’, the Fieldays Forestry Hub will be a dedicated space at this year’s Fieldays event, giving visitors the chance to explore the many facets of the forestry and wood processing sector and its role in mitigating climate change. At the hub visitors will discover information on forestry growing, climate change, wood products, timber construction, biosecurity and biodiversity. There will also be two forestry simulators on site for visitors to experience what it’s like to operate machinery in a forest. The hub is a collaboration between Fieldays and an advisory group comprising of Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Growers Levy Trust, Scion, the New Zealand Forest Owners Association, Red Stag, the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association and Future Foresters. Hub spokesperson, Alex Wilson, says: “We’re entering an exciting phase in forestry and wood processing, which is creating huge employment opportunities. People of all ages and abilities can find great careers in this sector – from planting and managing native forests and looking after the forest environment, to managing people and resources and working with state-of-the-art technology. “We’d also like to open people’s minds up to the possibilities of trees – anything that’s a fossil fuel today can be made from a tree in the future. We’ll have bioplastic vine clips, leather shoes tanned with pine bark tannin, biofuel insights and a showcase of how drone technology is a game changer.” Farm Forestry Association (FFA) President, Graham West, says the FFA strongly supports the Fieldays Forestry Hub and has been heavily engaged in its design and development. “We wish to reach landowners with the message that farm forestry is working well for our members and is an important option for future 12 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
sustainable land use in New Zealand.” Mr West says the farm forestry section of the hub will have practical experts and information available on multiple plantation species, with a focus on Redwoods, Eucalypts, Cypresses, Poplar and Willow, and Radiata pine. “We also support and facilitate the ‘Grow-a-tree’ competition for children.” Forest Owners Association President, Grant Dodson, adds that forestry is an excellent land use opportunity for farmers. “The hub is all about sharing information, so that forestry is better understood and those farmers that want to can be better informed before investing. “We see integrated land use, with trees on farms, as a real opportunity to increase overall long-term returns for farming, while improving environmental outcomes, especially around climate change.” Peter Nation, CEO of the National New Zealand Fieldays Society says, “Plans are also afoot, through Te Uru Rākau’s Industry Transformation Plan, to add more value to our forestry sector by processing wood materials in New Zealand, which in turn will create even more career and job opportunities. Because of this, featuring a new hub centred around forestry and wood-processing at Fieldays was a no-brainer. “This is the first time Fieldays has included something so specific to the forestry and wood-processing sectors, which is well-deserved as they continue to be such an important primary industry in our country,” says Mr Nation. “There’s a huge need for workers of all kinds in the sector – the breadth of skill sets that can be used is astounding. “We’re so lucky to have these companies and organisations here to showcase themselves and show how an interest in forestry can quickly become a career.” NZL
forest talk
Compact and nimble LIEBHERR IS EXPANDING ITS PORTFOLIO IN THE FIELD OF TIMBER tractors with the new LH 26 M Timber Litronic which is available for New Zealand. Designed for efficient timber handling, the LH 26 M’s compact design and ease of manoeuvrability are well-suited for work in sawmills and timber operations with limited space. The handling machine is low on fuel too. The LH 26 M Timber Litronic extends the existing portfolio downwards with an operating weight of between 23,500 and 26,000kg. The engine power of 125 kW provides the system with a high torque. This means that the machine can be accelerated quickly. Thanks to the extremely small front and rear swing radius, the machine can be completely swivelled even in tight locations. The minimal contour of the right front in particular means that work can be carried out very close to the sorting string or pile, as this is always within the width of the undercarriage. This provides a prominent view of the working area, ensures additional safety and prevents collisions. For high manoeuvrability, the LH 26 M Timber is equipped with all-wheel steering as standard. The all-wheel steering increases driving stability and thus improves directional stability. The automatic steering reversal, which is also standard, guarantees the correct steering direction at all times when driving forwards or backwards. The electric swing angle adjustment in the traction motor provides more torque, maximum acceleration and higher tractive effort. This ensures a constantly high driving performance even on slopes.
For longer distances, the combination of timber tractor and trailer is the optimal choice. Thanks to the powerful drive and the robust axles, trailers weighing up to 60 tonnes can be towed. The new undercarriage concept with 2-point blade support significantly increases the handling performance in trailer operation. The 2-point blade support offers strong stability as well as high payloads when loading and unloading the trailer over the entire swivel range. This allows more timber to be handled per loading cycle and thus increases productivity. The blade can additionally be used for clearing work and thus increases safety in the timber yard. NZL
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LUBRICANTS. TECHNOLOGY. PEOPLE.
forest talk
Spotlight on Northland’s forestry heroes LUKE ROSEWARNE, FROM ROSEWARNE YARDING, WAS THE supreme winner of the Skilled Professional of the Year (sponsored by Northland Forestry Health and Safety Group) at the recent 2022 Northland Forestry Awards. He also walked away with the AB Equipment- and Tigercat-sponsored Harvesting Excellence award. The Rosewarne family companies took other awards too, with Rosewarne Cable Loggers’ Sean Mete winning the Breaking Out Excellence category (sponsored by McFall Fuel) and Kerry Pellegrom, the Woman in Forestry Excellence (sponsored by PF Olsen). Kerry was also runner-up in Outstanding Health and Safety Management (sponsored by Summit Forest NZ) division Judges struggled to separate the Wilson family from Northpine and the Zielinski family from Silviculture Contractors, jointly awarding them the Forestry Family of the Year award (sponsored by Northern Forest Products). On one hand was the pioneering Wilson family, with generations involved over many decades in the industry. They have worked across multiple regions and are still committed to all aspects of the wood processing industry. On the other hand, was the Zielinski family who may not go back quite as far but in their decades of work have entrenched themselves as a huge asset to forestry. The company is led by brothers Craig and John, with the wider family also involved. “Recognising our great workforce is so important,” says Head Judge, Mandie Skipps. “We were really pleased to see many woodlot contractors stepping up to put people forward and also the
mid-sized companies putting their employees forward. “The Health and Safety category had attracted several strong nominations which pleased judges immensely.” Last year the awards were held virtually, due to COVID, so it was good news for the industry to be able to gather at McKay Stadium in Whangarei for this year’s ceremony. NZL
Skilled Professional of the Year, Luke Rosewarne.
The Winners Skilled Professional of the Year (sponsored by Northland Forestry H&S Group): Luke Rosewarne (Rosewarne Yarding).
Distribution Excellence (sponsored by PMG – Pacific Motor Group): Justin (Gus) Collins (Mike Lambert).
Forestry Family of the Year (sponsored by Northern Forest Products): The Wilson Family (Northpine) and the Zielinski Family (Silviculture Contractors).
Wood Processing Excellence (sponsored by Whangarei ITM): Paul Rupapera (Rosvall Sawmill).
Contractor of the Year (sponsored by ISO): LK and SM Newey Transport. Outstanding Health and Safety Management (sponsored by Summit Forest NZ): Aztec Forestry Transport Development. Runner-up: Kerry Pellegrom (Rosewarne Cable Loggers). Outstanding Environmental Management (sponsored by Wise on Wood): Duane Doughty (DOC Livestock). Forestry Excellence (sponsored by Northland Forest managers): Kim Kire (JSB Construction). Roading Excellence (sponsored by Fortuna): Dylan Read (JSB Construction). Runner-up: Scott Johnson (Scott Johnson Contracting). Harvesting Excellence (sponsored by AB Equipment &Tigercat): Luke Rosewarne (Rosewarne Yarding). Runner-up: Stan Houston (The Tree People).
14 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
Breaker Out Excellence (sponsored by McFall Fuel): Sean Mete (Rosewarne Cable Loggers). Tree Faller Excellence (sponsored by Manulife Investment management): Edward (Blue) Lloyd (Lloyd Logging). Woman in Forestry Excellence (sponsored by PF Olsen): Kerry Pellegrom (Rosewarne Cable Loggers). Log Truck Driver Excellence (sponsored by Patchell Group of Companies): Wayne Thornton (Aztec FTD). Emerging Talent of the Year (sponsored by North Tec Tai Tokerau Wānanga and Te Pukenga): Journee Houston (Mid Northern Forestry). Runner-up: Harry Harrison (Wise on Wood). Trainee of the Year (sponsored by Competenz and Te Pukenga): Troy Wilson (Northpine). Training Company/Contractor of the Year: Wise on Wood.
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Opinion
CEO Safetree/FISC, Joe Akari (middle), with Safetree Toroawhi Wade Brunt (left) and Richard Stringfellow (right).
Story: Joe Akari, CEO Safetree/Forest Industry Safety Council
From the boardroom to the bush
SEVEN DAYS INTO MY NEW JOB AS CEO OF SAFETREE/FOREST Industry Safety Council (FISC) I had the privilege of attending a Health and Safety awards ceremony in Turangi, the Keeping It Safe Awards run by NZ Forest Managers for its local crews. When I arrived in Turangi for the event, I had a real sense of my life coming full circle because we parked in the very same car park I used to go to every morning over 40 years ago when I first worked for the New Zealand Forest Service. Back then I was a 17-year-old trainee forest ranger, and the gang buses would pick up all the forestry workers from that car park and take us in to work in the forest. Like most of the other trainee rangers and foresters on the bus I didn’t smoke – unlike most of the bushmen, who certainly did. But woe betide any trainee who tried to open a window to let in some fresh air! The ‘old-hands’ quickly told them to shut it. That was one of my earliest experiences of how newbies in a workplace quickly learn to adapt to ‘how things are done around here’. They fall in line with the prevailing culture of the place pretty quickly. Since starting this role with Safetree/FISC I’ve been struck by how forestry has evolved since my first days as a trainee. The crews I’ve visited in recent weeks have the same high work ethic as the old crews, but a greater sense of professionalism has evolved. They’re well trained with lots of flash new equipment, they take Health and Safety seriously, and you can see the workers are valued by their bosses. You didn’t see many containers on site back in my day – let alone with barbeques or microwaves in them! As I watched those awards being handed out to workers in Turangi though, I realised one thing that hasn’t changed is the great characters you meet in forestry. There was the ‘go-to guy’ – the person with all the knowledge and experience that everyone in the crew would go to when they had questions. There was the ‘cadence guy’ – the one who sets the rhythm of work for the day and that everyone followed. There was the ‘story-teller’ – the one with the stories from the past that have important lessons for the newbies. And there was the laconic one – the one who didn’t speak often but when they did everyone listened! These types existed in forestry 40 years ago when I started out, and they are still there today. When I started my forest ranger traineeship I was the only South Aucklander of Samoan descent and I became good friends with the only two Māori trainees in my year. About eight years later the three of us formed our own silviculture contracting business – called Cousins 16 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
Contracting – doing mostly woodlot work for PF Olsen. Being a selfemployed contractor can be high-risk and high-reward, but it’s not for everyone. It certainly gave me an understanding of the challenges contractors face every day – some of which they have little control over. I moved away from forestry after that. I trained as a teacher, then moved into sports management, and eventually did a post-graduate management degree. But my first job after graduating was back in a forest-related industry – as a Human Resources Manager for Waipa Mill, now Red Stag Timber. As my career progressed I worked for other forestry-related companies – like Carter Holt Harvey and Norske Skog – in roles that included responsibility for Health and Safety. I also gained experience working in other industries, including for the then operator of the Marsden Point Refinery, Refining NZ. Nothing focuses the mind on Health and Safety like working for a business whose critical risks deem it to be one of New Zealand’s most high hazard sites. When I took on the role of CEO at Safetree/FISC I saw it as an opportunity to put to good use all the forestry, HR and Health and Safety leadership experience I’ve gathered during my career. Since FISC was created more than seven years ago, Health and Safety in forestry has improved significantly. But deaths and life-changing injuries are still occurring. That is unacceptable, so we all still have work to do. The key thing I’ve learned about Health and Safety is that, while processes and rules are important, they aren’t sufficient on their own to keep people safe and well. The culture of an organisation, and people’s attitudes towards Health and Safety, are equally important. In my view, engagement in Health and Safety grows more strongly when people are being encouraged to look after each other, rather than when the approach is just about compliance to follow rules. Forestry was a high-hazard industry when I started working in it – and it remains a high-hazard industry today. Over the years the industry has become more professional, particularly when it comes to formal processes and procedures for managing risks. The opportunity I see ahead is to further develop the culture so it better protects the health and wellbeing of workers. This positive culture needs to be modelled at all levels – from the boardroom to the bush. I’m looking forward to working with the industry to explore this opportunity. Over the next few months, I’ll be getting out and about to visit crews and businesses. But in the meantime, if you want to contact me please email: joe.akari@fisc.org.nz NZL
Iron Test
The John Deere 859MH is pulling its weight at G. White Logging.
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Ta ckling t Tough stuff Story and photos: Tim Benseman
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November 2022 | NZ LOGGER 19
Above: Gareth White discusses harvesting techniques with Iron Tester, Shaun Field, while the skidder heads out for another drag of logs. Below: Marking up logs ready for the next truck. “YOU WATCH,” SAYS IRON TESTER SHAUN FIELD. “GARETH will probably come around the corner in a big black Dodge Ram.” The RT crackles as we sit and wait as instructed on the side of Parapara road in central Kaingaroa Forest and then, sure enough, a huge black Ram appears. We follow Gareth, owner of G. White Logging, further up the road and turn off into the standing trees. It seems like quite flat ground here. Not really hauler country. Typical deceptive Kaingaroa ground, as we are only about 300 metres away from rock bluff riddled faces, some that are too dangerous even for tethered harvesters and they need to be manually felled. The wood in here is about 1.8-tonne piece size and once processed and loaded it is bound for either Red Stag Sawmill or the Murupara log rail yard about 15 minutes down the road. We arrive at the G. White skid and it is ground-based. Gareth gets us signed in and briefs us on hazards as we will be walking through standing trees to where we can view the felling face. Another skid on the opposite side of the gorge has the Madill grapple swing yarder on it. A huge Komatsu 350 with super high cab, live heel and 13-metre reach is clearing the chute for the Madill 122. “That Komatsu is mean,” says Gareth. “You can stand behind the hauler and reach past it and clear the chute. Just awesome.” The Dodge Ram is also impressively large and there are various other impressively large machines with us on the ground-based skid. A mint-looking Sumi SH240 with a live heel and high cab looks like it just
arrived from the dealership and is fleeting off a Tigercat 880 processor. Shaun points out an older but very handy looking Tigercat 630B grapple skidder complete with winch. Tucked in a corner is a large Terex bulldozer with twin winches, used for tethering but that can also be used for setting up the straw line on the hauler. “That thing has mean pulling power,” says Gareth. A super-wide Chevrolet dually tool truck and company mechanic is doing service work on several machines. But taking top spot on this skid is the John Deere 859MH zero tail swing tethered levelling harvester that we are here to Iron Test.
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1: Iron Tester, Shaun Field, and operator, Clint Maxwell, discuss the 859’s finer points. 2: The 859’s new seat and harness. 3: The view from the 859’s seat. 4: Regular 859 operator, Clint Maxwell, is happy with his new machine. 1
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A monstrous beast This thing is an absolutely monstrous beast. Obscenities are muttered quietly as we walk around it and start opening up the doors. The toolbox on/inside the track frame below the cab is surprising to see but fits in neatly. The levelling rams are huge. Because of the height of the cab above the tracks, several ladders are built in and slide out to make machine checks possible. Being zero tail swing it is very compact but still somehow gives the impression of being well laid out and spacious. This new model has significantly increased engine power on the previous model, up from 285HP to 300HP, with the option of getting a further 30HP from John Deere’s 6090H 9-litre diesel engine; but in the current configuration without that option it is producing 213kw with 1290nm of torque. John Deere has taken steps to increase stability on its harvesters with a longer, wider undercarriage. If you’re working in really big timber or on hills, an optional hightorque swing provides increased power, to boost productivity. Strong tractive effort of 373Kn generously increases capability for negotiating difficult or steep terrain, deep snow, swamps or, in this case, deep pumice. The Smooth Boom Control (SBC) on this machine allows machine movements to be controlled more effectively, delivering a smoother experience for the operator and less wear and tear on the machine over time. An additional option is the Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) which
makes it easier to manoeuvre the harvester head. Operators no longer need to control each independent boom joint separately. Simply control the harvester head, and IBC automatically controls all boom movements based on the harvester head location, for faster cycle times and more precise operation. The dual swing system also increases power and performance in demanding felling or harvesting conditions. Another JD innovation is the Rapid Cycle System which provides faster, low-effort joystick control of all boom functions and helps operators be more productive. Rapid Cycle System (RCS) combines
The Unitronics screen for tether management.
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Left: Some big gear is required to hang the 859 off steep slopes. Above: An iPhone 6 demonstrates the gauge of shackles required for attaching the tether.
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Above, from left: Iron Tester, Shaun Field, fells another tree during his Iron Test of the 859; Iron Tester, Shaun Field, lays down a tree during his Iron Test; Iron Tester, Shaun Field, heads down the slope to fell another tree in the 859; Operator, Clint Maxwell, makes his way back up the slope in the 859. Below: Another 1.8 tonne tree falls to the 859. automated felling-head arm cycling with simple boom control — dramatically reducing operator fatigue while increasing efficiency and productivity they say. The spacious operator station was designed by loggers for loggers. John Deere says it places a lot of emphasis on listening to what loggers have to say both for fixing issues as they arise in current machines as well as incorporating that feedback into the design of new builds. This cab is roomier and more comfortable, with new more ergonomically designed controls and an updated Bluetooth radio option with XM Satellite Radio ready from the factory. And the view has to be seen to be believed, with significantly more window area from the floor window to the overhead. There’s also a new seat that’s more ergonomic than previous models and features a dual-density seat pan and contour as well as updated armrest and suspension to improve the overall comfort of operators of all sizes. The optional heated-ventilated seat (HVS) is pretty comfortable too. The sealed touch pad keeps out dust, moisture, and debris, minimising wear. A marine-grade control centre eliminates rocker switches, numerous wires, and unsealed connections, and lasts up to 10 times longer than standard dash switches. There is more boom inspired by John Deere’s larger 900M- and 900MH-Series models which are field proven, robust booms with thick plates and strong joints to help extend durability and wear life. Designed for use with smaller attachments, the extended stick option (only on these 800MH models) reaches 9.9 metres and features a narrow boom tip to reach past standing timber and cover wider
swaths, minimising damage to harvested trees and easing travel in sensitive areas. All 800M- and 800MH-Series machines feature extreme-duty track chain to tackle challenging jobsite conditions while extending wear life which is good to know in this highly abrasive volcanic rock/pumice/ scoria type soil that wears the hard facing off ground-engaging tools at an alarming rate, probably more than four times the speed of the soils further north and south of here. A variable-speed hydraulic reversing fan runs only as fast as the system requires. This conserves power and fuel while blocking debris. To keep the system clean, the fan also reverses on a timed cycle to reverse airflow and eject debris from the cooling cores. If conditions demand more frequent cleaning, the fan can be reversed by a simple push of a button. John Deere has also invested in smart debris management to keep the workspace free and clear of the inevitable foliage from trees falling in large numbers at close proximity. The debris-management system is integrated into the hood and left-side guarding to prevent materials and debris from entering the cooling package. This, combined with external screening, a sealed cooler compartment and the reversing fan make for lower downtime cleaning up each day. Gareth notes that the zero tail swing is a real advantage, making operation a lot easier and less stressful, not having to worry about the tether chain catching or rubbing, or having to be aware of proximity to standing trees and catching them with the counterweight. It is hard to believe there is an 870-litre fuel tank on this machine with that zero swing tail and spacious cab, but there is.
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Above left: Operator, Clint Maxwell, fells trees with the 859 while the Madill 122 hauls wood in the background. Above centre: Operator, Clint Maxwell, lays down a tree with the 859 and Satco felling head. Above right: Operator, Clint Maxwell, fells and lays down a tree for the Madill. Left: Iron Tester, Shaun Field (left) and operator, Clint Maxwell, plan the next felling swath for the 859. Regular operator, Clint Maxwell, is using a rattle gun to do some maintenance on the Satco felling head. Just quietly Shaun says Clint is probably one of the best tethered felling machine operators in the country: “Part of that is that he is an absolutely top notch hauler op, so he knows exactly how the wood needs to be laid out for the grapple on the Madill to minimise breakage and maximise production. For example that slope he has been working below us there, I wouldn’t lay it out like that, in fact I would probably be shovelling quite a lot of this, but these guys know what they want, so for the test I will be laying it out how they want it laid out.” Shaun jokes that with this 859 being the third machine of Gareth’s that NZ Logger has Iron Tested we may have to look at changing the name to G. White Iron Tests if he doesn’t stop buying new gear. The previous tests were with the Iveco Astra 8x8 forwarder and a John Deere 6x6 skidder. A young skidder operator When Gareth first started learning about logging gear it was as an eight-year-old, along with his sister, having a go on their father’s log skidder and other bits of gear on weekends while Dad was doing machine maintenance nearby. At other times he got on the Bell and a loader and figured out the basics of how they worked too. “I even got into a bit of fleeting on the Bell. It was choice fun,” he says.
Before long Gareth was helping move gear between blocks as he had gained the basic functions of gear to be able to move equipment safely and know where to stop and wait or move along the quiet forestry roads. The drive to succeed is strong and Gareth left school very early (“nearly 15 years old”) to get in on the ground floor as a QC for MJ & J Pelham Logging. He hopped on loaders a few times during smoko and then decided to learn a bit more about log loaders. A stint loading log boats at the Port of Tauranga honed his machine and log handling skills before he returned to the forest, working for several crews doing early load outs, shovelling and fleeting. Another loader job beckoned but when he arrived to start it he was asked if he knew how to drive a harvester. “Yeah, for sure,” he said, not elaborating that it was just a few smokos worth of experience on a harvester at a previous job. He spent that first day harvesting and the boss thought he was alright at it so he was then a harvester operator. Starting to run machinery at an early age obviously pays off well. A case in point is that Gareth now owns three Madill haulers and three pole haulers and manages 50 employees in the industry - and he still has his first Sumitomo 240 grapple loader after owning it for over 10 years. It is feeding bunches of logs to the Tigercat grapple skidder today just down the hill from us, while up above that on the opposite face his new 859MH is being
Above left: Gareth White’s first loader feeds stems to the skidder while the new 859MH is made ready to go down the slope. Above right: The Dodge Ram Heavy Duty oversees various other heavy duty units in the G. White Logging stable. shackled to the tether ready for the Iron Test. And anchoring the rope is one of the first Falcon winch outfits on a reliable older Cat 330c. As soon as the 859 is ready to go down the rope the Sumi loader and skidder move to another location over two tree lengths away to continue ground-based extraction while regular harvester operator, Clint, shaves off the first few lines of trees on a down and up swath on the tether. It is quite alarming to observe the amount of travel in the levelling mechanism of these modern levellers – 26 degrees forward, 14 degrees side to side and 7 degrees rearward, but then I did think the rams for it were over-engineered when it was on the skid earlier for inspection. Because of the two-tree-length rule we are having to zoom in from a distance to get decent photos of the felling action. Although I have seen similar machines working while I was doing land prep and water controls in Kaingaroa years ago, it’s the first time I have sat and studied the actual workings. About halfway down the slope Clint grabs a tree but instead of cutting it he rips it out of the ground, lays it down and trims off the root wad. “What’s going on here?” I ask Gareth. “That’s because the stump will be in his way.” Gareth replies. “This pumice and scoria type ground is very soft; it is compressing a lot, and it only allows one pass with a heavy machine, that presses the ground down and the stump is then too high for a second pass. It’s like at a man’s shoulder height in some cases even though he has cut it low and even for these oversized tracked machines it is just too high. So he has chosen a pathway down the slope to avoid doing that as much as possible, but now he’s over halfway down he’s found that that one needs to go in order to complete that run safely.” We watch as Shaun takes over the controls from Clint and starts shaving another layer off the face. Gareth notes: “He’s quite a good operator is Shaun, good on skidders, harvesters, all sorts really.” Kind of like Gareth himself actually, which is probably part of why these two characters get along so well. Shaun knocks a bunch of trees down in quick succession and you can read how he got on in his Iron Test on page 30.
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American equipment shopping trips Gareth likes to visit the US and Canada several times per year to hunt down parts for his fleet of Madill haulers and to research harvesting methods from our American logging cousins. A lot of time is spent on Vancouver Island - home of Madill yarders – as well as in the Canadian Interior around Whistler and the US Pacific Northwest, observing logging operations, getting to know loggers and either buying haulers or selecting parts to ship back to his workshop in Tokoroa. The Madill 122 swing yarder in this crew is running ¾ inch Power Swage so can hold more rope than a 124 running regular and was purchased from a logger out of Port Alberni, just north of Nanaimo, where Madill was first established in 1911, and north of Sidney, BC, where Madill is still manufacturing yarders today. With four crews and a busy workshop, there are plenty of people to manage and a lot of gear, including two Iveco Astra 8x8 off-highway logging trucks, and a late model T659 Kenworth on-highway log truck contracted to Aztec. “With skidders we really like the idea of putting band tracks on front and rear as we have some really harsh ground traction-wise in some blocks, especially in Kinleith Forest. We had a video conference recently with the John Deere designers in the US and we asked them if the warranty on their new skidders would cover their front diffs if we put band tracks on them. They said yes. Great, can you still use the diff locks? Yes again. So we said great, we will buy it. It’s really important that we have that capability while retaining the warranty, as we tend to get quite a number of tough blocks,” says Gareth. “There is a fair amount of windthrow and slips in this block. Add that to the bluffs, short sharp gullies and soft pumice/scoria - that stuff is actually the biggest challenge to our operation as you are having to scramble the machines through it in the cutover, kind of like sand dunes. It makes for great wet weather logging though.” We move from the felling face around onto Parapara road again and get to a new position below and to the side of the Madill where the spotter has his lunch heating up on a cooker. It’s good to see another angle of the operation to help comprehend how the harvester fits in to the crew. The new 859 harvester joins Gareth’s JD 959, 768ll and 909 machines, and before we go to print he will put another 959MH and 948L skidder into the fleet, so it’s fair to say he is happy with how John Deere harvesters perform in his operations.
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EST EST 1909 1909 |TOCALL WWW.SHAWS.CO.NZ JONNY EDWARDS 021 944 894 THE THE SUPPLIER SUPPLIER NEW TO NEW ZEALAND ZEALAND HEAVY HEAVY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 28 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
iron tester: Shaun Field
ZERO TAIL TEST
THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE WITH THE John Deere 859MH is the zero tail. It makes a huge difference to how it performs in the stand as far as manoeuvring through the trees goes. That’s important when you are slewing side to side laying down your wood, as well as in the descent where your tether interactions with your counterweight are greatly reduced. It’s very compact but they’re smart about it with their service bays. Pretty well laid out. Getting in and out of this machine is straightforward like with John Deere’s other harvesters. Cab and seat comfort is good. It feels almost exactly the same as the 959 except for that zero tail swing. I am usually running a fell and trim head too so I notice this straight felling head is easier for shifting the chain on the tether when you need to negotiate the terrain and use stumps or stands of trees for cornering. With the fell and trim you do need to minimise that tether handling or it’s a quick grinder repair to the trimming knives. There is not a huge amount of difference between this machine and my regular ride
except there is not as much reach and that’s not really a bad thing, it’s just the price you pay for having the zero tail – you can’t go as far out as you could if you had a big counterweight levering on the cab at the back. The boom and stick are the same as the other John Deere machines but in this one it is set further back so you are not using as much of it. This machine definitely has its place here in the smaller wood as this crew is now moving out of the huge old growth harvesting that Gareth has been so effective in. He has basically mowed most of it down and now he needs to manoeuvre into a smaller, quicker and more efficient machine for harvesting this lighter wood. The ground in here is unreal to work in. The closer you get to Mount Tarawera, the more abrasive the soil is. You can see it wearing on your idlers regardless of what machine you are on and it does soak up a lot of power on the steep slopes, but this machine coupled with the DC winch machine is still pushing through it without any problems. The button layout on this specific machine
Iron Tester, Shaun Field. has been altered quite a lot compared to what I’m used to so it is quite a challenge to get the hang of, but I take the machine down the hill, fell some trees, lay them out, get a feel for the machine and bring it back up the rope without any major issues. When I am cutting for hauler settings I like to fell my way down to the bottom and then cut my way back up, it just fits with how we’re set up, whereas here they are leaving the lower reaches of the slope standing, presumably to come in from the bottom without the tether and lay it out differently for ground-based extraction.
Below left: The compact but well laid out cooling, filtration, engine bay and exhaust of the 859MH. Below centre: The track frame tool box, fire extinguisher and Satco filtration on the 859MH. Below right: The 859’s cooling fan, engine bay and hydraulic pump bay.
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m
Mainline
IFICATION
SPEC S
JOHN DEERE 859 ZERO SWING TETHERED HARVESTER – SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE
HARVESTER
6-cylinder, 9-litre John Deere 6090 Tier 2 PowerTech™ diesel. Peak power 224 kW (300 hp) @ 1,900 rpm Max Torque 392 Nm (1,027 lb.-ft.) at 1500rpm
Model Rotation Weight Max cut
HYDRAULICS Main pump Attachment pump
494 L/min. (131 gpm) 209 L/min (55 gpm)
UNDERCARRIAGE Model Tractive effort Track shoe width
U7L Extreme Duty (EXD) 373kN (83,854 lb/f) 711, single grouser.
BOOM / ARM Model Max reach
John Deere 8.84M (6.13M sweep) Boom w/ RCS
This is definitely a grunty little machine for how compact it is. It’s in difficult conditions here, the ground is so unforgiving. You go past a stump once and it’s just crap after that. You’re already in enough danger working on a slope without getting balancing on
Satco 630 HE felling head 360 continuous 2000kg 86cm 43inch bar, ¾ pitch chain
REFILL CAPACITIES (LITRES) 870 146
Fuel tank Hydraulic system (incl tank) DIMENSIONS (MM) Length Width Height Tail swing radius Ground clearance Operating weight
stump issues and then falling off suddenly in whatever direction it decides to take you, so they just have to come out. The only let down I see with this machine is, where the tilt rams come through the chassis it is quite sharp and it catches on stumps if
9,910 3,430 3,920 2,250 748 36,000kg (without processor, 38,000kg with Satco felling head.)
you are not dead centre on your approach, but here you would be ripping these stumps out no matter what machine you were on. No harvester is perfect everywhere but this one is pretty close in all the areas that count for high production tree felling. NZL
PACKAGE DEALS FOR LOGGERS
Award Winning TUFF Superseal® Chains Price is excl. GST & freight
PACKAGE 1 without shoes
PACKAGE 1
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$26,000.00
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$31,000.00
John Deere 853, 859, 909, 959
$31,000.00
PACKAGE 2 with shoes Superseal® Chains, Shoes 1 Bar or 2 Bar 660mm, Sprockets, Bottom Rollers, Idlers, Track Bolts and Nuts. Includes FREE bolt up.
PACKAGE 2
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Sumitomo SH240TLFS, 300TLFS, 330TLFS, 350TLFS
$39,000.00
Tigercat 855, 870, 875, 880
$44,000.00
John Deere 853, 859, 909, 959
$44,000.00
All prices exclude GST and freight and while stocks last. Be in quick to secure this price.
Contact our Specialist Ross French on 021 228 5632 or ross@mainlinegroup.co.nz
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Silviculture
BACK TO THE FUTURE OF THINNING Story: William Grogan and Neil Woods, Aratu Forests
W
HEN WILLIAM GROGAN, ARATU Forests’ Manager – Tree Crop, first pitched the idea of an in-house thinning crew to senior management, the initial response was one of skepticism and fear. CEO, Neil Woods, and the board had a few questions; • Why do no other corporates do this? • How will we manage health and safety? • How will we maintain production tension? • Without more staff how will we fit all the admin in that the contractor currently does? It was generally thought that rolling the clock back 40 years to the Forest Service days was a risky strategy. In essence this is exactly what Aratu Forests Limited (AFL) has done; by bringing the crew in-house, providing them with a salary, and a vehicle and equipment they have turned back the clock and taken the ‘old-school’ approach 34 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
to operations in the forestry industry, but with modern-day systems, management approach and technology. The Aratu thinning crew was established as a trial in November 2021 from staff within one of Aratu’s existing contract crews when the Principal decided to hang up his saw. After a six-month trial, the crew had surpassed all expectations, allayed senior management and the Board’s concerns, and was made permanent with approval to increase it from four to eight people. Adrian Whiting (crew foreman) and Mark Grayson took the brave leap to commence working for a corporate on a salary in November 2021 and were the first two members of the crew. They liked the arrangement so much that by February 2022 they had managed to recruit two more crew members, Willy Henderson and Mark Hunia.
Like many other forest owners, Aratu has stopped pruning in recent years and now runs an unpruned structural regime. This regime is simple and requires a thinning at ages 8-10 years reducing stocking from 1000sph to 500sph. Thinning is undertaken on around 1200 hectares per year in Aratu’s estate to ‘open the area up’ to sunlight so the dominant trees may continue to grow and put on volume, and trees that are smaller and of poorer form are removed to reduce competition.
Right: The AFL thinning crew, from left: Reece Spooner (AFL Silviculture Coordinator), Mark Hunia, Mark Grayson, Willy Henderson, Adrian Whiting (Foreman) and Willy Grogan (AFL Manager – Tree Crop).
A recently thinned block, showing even spacing and great form of the crop.
November 2022 | NZ LOGGER 35
Silviculture
“Timing of the thinning is very important. If the thinning is too early the crop runs the risk of producing large branches, decreasing the value of the final crop by reducing the volume of high quality small-branched saw logs. If the thinning is too late (average height >16m), the crop runs the risk of toppling (windthrow) as the trees become increasingly vulnerable to windthrow the larger they get,” explains William. How it works The crew are permanent employees of Aratu. “Essentially, Aratu Forests runs the crew similarly to a contractor, but there is now one less step (i.e., contractor interaction) when it comes to negotiating or communications,” says William. Adrian Whiting deals with the day-to-day running of the crew and AFL management/ supervisors schedule and oversee the operation, providing up to date plans and working through the forward planning
Above: Adrian Whiting putting his scarf in on a pre-trimmed tree. He is attempting to put the tree through the gap beyond where he is standing. Right: Willy Henderson making his scarf cut on a tree he intends to fell into the gap in front of him.
36 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
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Silviculture
The crew’s setup on site prior to commencing work down the hill. with Adrian. All Health & Safety and documentation is the same as is required for a contract operation. “A lot of work was put in by AFL to create a Health & Safety Management system for an operation of this nature, as previously this was provided by the contractor,” William adds. He says together the crew brings more than 130 years of silviculture and thinning experience to Aratu, which is important given the size of trees being felled (mean crop height 14 metres), and very steep terrain involved. The crew has worked together for many years within the estate and throughout forests within the East Coast region. “The experience, leadership, consistency, and positive manner of the thinners creates an autonomous crew, that requires minimal supervision and management. This makes pre-planning and scheduling of the thinning programme straightforward and simple. With experience also comes quality, and since the crew’s inception they have not recorded a single rework or required any corrective action for quality or safety. They take great pride in their work and always strive to achieve outstanding results,” he says. 38 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
Incentivised production Aratu pays the thinners an annual salary regardless of whether they go to work or not. For example, if the weather doesn’t allow the crew to work safely or comfortably then they will either be offered alternative work, or they will stand down for the day and receive payment. “This provides stability of income for the thinners and doesn’t push them to go to work when the conditions do not allow for safe and productive working conditions,” says Neil. The crew’s remuneration also includes a production-based incentive scheme. At the start of the block, William’s team, will agree on a fair target with Adrian in the same way they do with a contract crew, based on modelled predictions and an inspection of the site by Aratu’s supervisor in charge of the crew and Adrian. If the crew achieves target, they will receive a bonus for each day they have worked; this will increase if they exceed target. Neil explains: “The incentive provides a drive for more production, but the payment does not push the thinners to always achieve target. For example, if a crew member is ‘not feeling up to it’ they can take it easy and
work the easier areas at lower production, but still receive their salary. We feel this is a step in the right direction, ensuring they are not pushing production to achieve their desired outcomes at the expense of safety or quality outcomes.” The model combined with the quality of the team has resulted in a highly motivated crew who have consistently exceeded production and quality expectations, he says. On average the crew is thinning more than 0.5ha per day and at times, depending on stand characteristics, they are thinning over 0.65ha per day. Since the crew’s inception, they have received a bonus for every block and continue to exceed expectations of targets daily. Safety-driven culture The most important part of this team is their responsible management of risks on site and their willingness to engage in Health & Safety, says William. “Adrian fills in the required documents to a high standard and the crew works methodically and has a very safe working environment. An external training provider audits the crew at least every two months. The audit is in-depth and lasts in excess of three hours, covering
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A recently thinned block showing the form and spacing of the crop. tree selection and felling technique, stump quality, gear, and PPE.” The crew scores consistently >95% on the external audits and some crew members have recorded in excess of three 100% audits. These high-scoring audits are “testament to their unwavering positivity,
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experience, and professionalism” when it comes to tree felling and thinning, he says. “Although the crew is very productive and safety driven, they continue to produce a high standard of work. Adrian and the team have thinned a total of 314ha since the trial inception, an average of 32 hectares
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per month. This is a great achievement considering the disruptions the crew has faced in the 10 months of work. The East Coast region has experienced three one-in -100-year weather events within this period, which disrupted efficient workflows and reduced the crew time on site. Aratu tries to
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Silviculture have a series of windy weather jobs to fill in their time on those days, but if there aren’t any the crew doesn’t work,” William says. Adrian sums up the experience from his and the crew’s perspective: “Working as a direct employee for Aratu Forests as a thinning crew has brought about a different outlook on what we do out on the workface and internally with what the company strives to achieve. Having that direct connection within the company gives a better understanding of how and why things are done the way they are. “Although very much the same as working for a contractor, being an employee of Aratu Forests as a thinning crew has brought about job security with the benefits of being company employees which has made work life better. I have yet to hear any complaints from within the crew about working for AFL… so that pretty much sums it up.” Forward thinking Neil adds: “Aratu has learnt a lot from this process, with the most important being an up-to-date understanding of the factors involved in running a thinning crew from both the crew member and ‘contractor’ side. We are able to understand what the crew wants and what works best for them but also benchmark the economics of crew operations. The crew members themselves are the overarching key to success for this initiative; they are always willing to help and constantly exceed expectations, whether it be Health & Safety-based, quality-based, or production-based.” The future of the operation is to expand it slightly to eight people, running two vehicles and sharing a gear trailer. Aratu sees this structure as being ideal to provide training for new cutters who can then potentially go on to work in other crews within the company as skilled and ticketed operators. Neil says that at this stage there is no intention to expand this in-house model to other contract functions, but nothing is off the table forever. NZL
Top: Willy Henderson in action, putting in his back cut on a tree. Middle: Adrian Whiting putting in his back cut on a tree. Bottom: Adrian Whiting observing the tree as it falls.
40 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
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Special Feature
Hybrid harvesting HIGHLIGHTS
Story: Richard Stringfellow, Toroawhi/Worker Champion, Safetree
T
HE PAINTWORK ON NEW ZEALAND’S first diesel-electric harvester is still shiny after nearly a year of hard work from this machine that’s been in the country since December. (NZ Logger first took a look at this Logset 8H GTE diesel-electric hybrid wheeled harvester from Finland when we took it for a run on an Iron Test earlier this year.) Josh Hurring, from Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting in Balclutha says that good looks aren’t the only attractive feature of this new hybrid. “On the whole, we’ve found it’s a lot more economic to run. It’s a lot better for the environment and it has features that add to the safety of the operator,” Josh says. There’s a battery in the back and when the machine travels along, that charges the battery. When the machine is harvesting it uses electricity from the battery to power the hydraulics that run the feed rollers and
42 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
saws. The diesel can kick in when needed, but it’s majority electric while harvesting. Josh says the company has discovered that being a hybrid makes the machine far more economical to run: “The hybrid feature saves a lot of fuel. The machine burns about 10 litres of diesel an hour, compared with the normal diesel machines that are running about 18 litres to 20 litres sometimes.” With diesel prices where they are today, that saving is very helpful, he adds. Another environmental benefit is that the machine is eight-wheel drive, compared to Hurring’s other wheeled-harvesters, which are six-wheeled. “Being eight-wheeled gives it more traction, so it’s more stable. It allows the machine to go further and cause less ground disturbance. It’s a lot less messy and a lot tidier,” says Josh. The company has put the machine into
a production thinning crew, paired up with another harvester and two forwarders. “These production thinning machines allow us to recover all the wood felled during thinning, compared with thinning to waste manually where the trees sit on the floor and rot away. “They go through the blocks, pick out the trees, fell them and then cut them into log grades. Then the forwarders come through and sort them and offload them at the skid where they’re sorted again and put onto the truck. So, essentially, they go through three lots of quality control before they get to the port or sawmill.” As a result, wood that would have been left to waste on the ground (and possibly cause environmental issues later on) brings in a financial return. “We had one customer, a farmer, who was quoted about $10,000-$20,000 to
Above: The Logset 8H GTE dieselelectric hybrid wheeled harvester. Top right: Machine operator, Logan
Bennett, using the retractable steps into the cab of the Logset 8H GTE and shown in the cab (below).
Middle: View from the cab of the machine. Bottom: The machine is operating in a
production thinning crew.
November 2022 | NZ LOGGER 43
Special Feature
Above: The Logset 8H GTE in action. Right: Josh Hurring, Health and Safety Manager at Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting. Bottom: Workshop apprentice, Zak Phillips, tries out using real machines under Josh's guidance. get his block thinned to waste. We went in with our machines and extracted the wood and got a return of about the same amount. The other big benefit of thinning with machines, rather than manually, is safety,” Josh says. “If a stem falls on the boom, it scratches the paint. Whereas if a tree comes down and hits someone, it could be very serious.” The machine’s thinning head has a few differences to other heads commonly seen in New Zealand. The feed rollers are a set of discs so they can be more easily changed out. There is also no topping saw. Josh says the hybrid has other features that help look after the operators: “There are doors on both sides, rather than an escape hatch. So, in the event of an emergency, the operator can get out either side of the machine.” As soon as the operator gets in the machine, the steps automatically fold back up. Then when the machine shuts down, they come straight back out again. “So, there’s always easy access and
44 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
three points of contact when the operator is getting in and out of the machine.” This feature is important because industry statistics show that injuries from falling or jumping off machines are relatively common in forestry. “All these features add up to make the machines safer for operators,” Josh says. “As a whole, we’ve found this machine a lot more economical to run, a lot better for the environment and better for the operator.” Future forward Of course, it’s no good having great machinery without the skills to put it to good use. Mike Hurring Training School was established to try to increase the pool of skilled workers. “We’ve always had quite a heavily trained workforce and there was a bit of a tendency for other companies to cherrypick our guys. So we decided to offer to train people outside our company as well, to increase the number of skilled workers
and to hopefully reduce the poaching.” A stand-out feature of the school is its two forestry machinery simulators. The simulators are a good way to fast-track people’s learning in a safe environment, Josh says. “We start students off doing the basics, learning to drive forward and back and then we move them on to felling trees, and processing to certain grades. “We normally start them on the forwarder, in the John Deere simulator, to learn the basic controls. Then they’ll move on to a harvester, and through the wheeled machine and the tracked machine. “The other simulator is for a tracked machine. It has sure grips, which are common in all the different brands of machine. It’s handy for guys, regardless of the brand they’re driving, to learn the controls and how the machine works.” The simulators are good for weeding out bad habits too, Josh says: “It’ll tell us if they’re too rough, or too slow, or just not doing it right.”
The school works in partnership with industry training organisation, Competenz, which gathers cohorts of students. The training is led by Neville Muir, a trainer with 30 years’ experience. Neville also does follow-up training with the students when they go back to their own worksites while Josh looks after the training on the simulators. About eight students join at a time, for one week five times a year, says Josh: “The course covers their bookwork and their national certificate stuff, as well as training on the machines. They also visit other crews, just to see how other people do things. And they visit places like ports and sawmills. That shows them the whole cycle of forestry and helps them understand how what they do can have an impact further along the supply chain.”
Once students have trained on the simulators, there are real machines in the yard for them to have a go on, including log trucks, harvesters, and bulldozers. “The simulators are good but once they jump in the real machine, it’s a wee bit different. If you are rough in the simulator, you don’t feel it. If you are rough in the real machine, it’ll shake you around and give you quite a fright.” Josh says one of the main benefits of coming to the school is being taught by an experienced trainer like Neville, as well as being able to practice on the simulators and machines in the yard. “When they go back to their crews, they know how to do things the correct way. They’re a lot safer, and they know ways they can improve how they work environmentally and production-wise.” NZL
Top left: Workshop apprentice, Zak Phillips, gets help using the simulator from Josh Hurring. Top and middle: The John Deere simulator in action. Bottom: The simulator for learning to use tracked machines.
FICA.ORG.NZ
your voice The voice of forestry contractors since 2002
backing a great industry A MESSAGE FROM PRUE YOUNGER, CEO, FICA
One has to bite one’s tongue at times when overhearing a group of general bystanders talking about the issues of forestry, generally fairly negatively – whether it’s the delay on the roads with logging trucks backing up at road works or the demise of rural communities with the attractive option of carbon farming. It’s a pity not everyone takes on the mantra that one should always look on the other side of those situations, like that the real reason for the road stops may be that the torrential rain of late has undermined the road and the service provider is taking their time to sort it out. As to the theory that farm land is providing farmers with their chance to sell out or diversify with higher valued crops so really these changes in our current environment are the direct fault of forestry, climate change policies probably have more to answer for than forestry. It is also hard to swallow when we are seen as a sector where every job in forestry involves hard graft, rugged conditions and long hours… so why is it that everyone I come across out on the coalface loves their job? Guess you have to cut the cloth to fit the task. FICA has been involved in many recruitment promotions and this latest campaign, Find your Fit in Forestry, has got it pretty right. The key to getting it right was that it showcases all job opportunities across the whole of the supply chain including jobs in processing that I did not even immediately align to forestry. Saw doctors can categorically be published as a career in forestry. The other success was that we got the potential youth that we are trying to recruit into the industry involved in the content and filming – yes finally not the old stalwarts of the industry developing up what they think youth of today want. Let the potential clients develop up the more appropriate language and platforms that they know will connect and engage. The pending Fast & Forward Forestry EXPO will hopefully expose the general public to the extent that we have grown the adoption of highly technical machinery and mechanisation. It will also provide an overview of how complex the industry is as a whole – that broadly covers everything from roles in a laboratory to finished high value goods at highly technological plants. It is hard due to health and safety regulations to give the general public a trip directly out to the working sites of forestry contractors, where a huge appreciation for the work carried out with fewer people and highly mechanised 46 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
P N T
U hi m w eq N w
machinery would be right there to view. Instead we will bring the mountain to Muhammad, with over a hundred large machines coming into the city site in Rotorua at the racecourse. We also have a range of service providers and research organisations that will be there showcasing the important part that they contribute to support this great industry. They are all part of the exciting complex sector that offers a huge range of careers. We have to believe we have a lot to offer, defy the media and back our industry as ambassadors. Working together to get out the positive stories to override the few negative ones takes a force of thousands and there’s no reason we can’t have a team that large to promote the industry with over 35,000 active in our combined workforce across New Zealand and across the individual sectors. The regional forestry awards have done a great job of promoting what’s good about our heroes of the industry with a window of great stories which FICA is taking up to promote weekly across the next 12 months. Social media makes it an easy share, with paid posts and low cost of advertising compared to conventional platforms. Let’s not leave the media to manage the promotion of our industry, as it will inevitably be the wrong story, the worst case scenario and not the right reflection of what makes this a great industry!
Prue Younger CEO, FOREST INDUSTRY CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
TAL TA
UDCUD Fi
your voice The voice of forestry contractors since 2002
PROUDLY PROUDLYBACKING BACKING PROUDLY BACKING NZ NZFORESTRY FORESTRY FOR FOR NZ FORESTRY FOR THE THELONG LONGHAUL HAUL THE LONG HAUL
UDC UDC areare your your forestry forestry finance finance experts. experts. A long A long UDC areworking your closely forestry finance experts. A long history history of working of closely with with local local contractors contractors history of workingthe closely withyou’ll local contractors means means wewe understand understand the support support you’ll need need means weto understand the support you’ll when when it comes it comes fi tonancing financing vehicles vehicles and and need when itSo comes togot financing vehicles equipment. equipment. So we’ve we’ve got strong strong roots roots in and the in the equipment. Soplus we’ve got strong roots NZNZ forestry forestry sector, sector, plus we’re we’re ready ready and andin the NZtoforestry sector, plus we’re ready and waiting waiting help to help with with hassle-free hassle-free finance. finance. waiting to help with hassle-free finance.
TALK TALK TOTO ONE ONE OF OF OUR OUR LOCAL LOCAL TEAM TEAM TODAY TODAY TALK TO ONE OF OUR LOCAL TEAM TODAY
udc.co.nz/localteam udc.co.nz/localteam || 0800 | 0800 500 500 832 832 udc.co.nz/localteam 0800 832
UDC Finance Limited UDCUDC Finance Finance Limited Limited
FICA Partners STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Thank you to all of the organisations who support FICA, which in turn works to promote business growth and improved safety and efficiency amongst forestry contractors for the benefit of New Zealand’s Forestry Industry.
BUSINESS PARTNERS
GOLD PARTNERS
TO JOIN, CALL 0800 342 269 OR SIGNUP ONLINE AT FICA.ORG.NZ
top spot Safety/performance/quality
The “not so good” WHILE TOP SPOT IS ALL ABOUT ENCOURAGING and recognising individual and team excellence, we also believe it is just as important to highlight the “not so good” in order to increase awareness and encourage people to check their own operations to assist with minimising their exposure to these hazards. So, this issue we bring you a few photographs highlighting some of these.
behind the scenes supporting them in what they do!!
Ka mau te wehi! Awesome individuals, awesome teams and awesome people
Sponsors – they don’t have to do this but they choose to! Awesome companies, awesome people and awesome support! They back you and your workmates to succeed as professionals, so why wouldn’t you support them?
“Not so good”
Loader operator's seat stuffed and held upright using a ratchet and strap.
Another leveller with cable tie in place. 48 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
Another machine with cable tie in place.
Mech leveller with a cable tie on the safety lock out door switch. This makes the system live all the time and unsafe.
Lock pin point on a mechanised head broken and unusable.
top spot
Safety/performance/quality They believe in what we do and what you do. So, a big ongoing thank you to our Strategic Partners – STIHL and NZ Logger and sponsor SWAZI. The best way to keep our industry working is to get out and support those businesses that support New Zealand. Participating Companies This competition wouldn’t be what it is without our participating companies. We understand the commitment it takes from them to be part of Top Spot and value their ongoing support and feedback. Our ongoing thanks to: Rayonier/
Matariki Forests, Wenita Forest Products, Ernslaw One, OneFortyOne New Zealand, Crown Forestry, Forest View Contracting, Makerikeri Silviculture (2020), Mitchell Silviculture, Puklowski Silviculture, Gutsell Forestry Services, Johnson Forestry Services, McHoull Contracting, Wayne Cumming Contracting, Howard Forestry Services, Inta-Wood Forestry, Heslip Forest Contracting, Otautau Contractors, X Men Forestry, Proforest Services, FM Silviculture, Tane Mahuta, Waikato Forestry Services, Rai Valley Silviculture, Thomassen Logging, Forest View Logging, Griffin Logging, Penetito Forestry, Pride Forestry, Mangoihe
Logging, CMH Contracting, Kaha Logging, Roxburgh Contracting, Te Waa Logging, Mike Hurring Logging, Bluewood Logging, Storm Logging, Onward Logging, Down and Out Logging, Forest Pro Logging, Eastside Logging, Lahar Logging, Moutere Logging, JD Harvesting, Whisker Logging, Kimberly Logging, Dewes Contractors, Dempsey Logging. Into safety? Into performance? Into quality? Contact Shane Perrett on 0274 781 908, 07 3483037 or at primefm@xtra. co.nz. NZL
Poor anchor set ups 1. A wrap and go back anchor set up. The correct technique is to notch the front stump (closest to the hauler) using a spiral effect. The live end is placed in the bottom notch and spirals upwards around the stump before going back and being anchored on the rear stump. Both stumps should be aligned with the hauler as well to maximise strength. 2. A poor example of a guy line shackled to a deadman. Work that one out? 3. All stump anchors should have a minimum of 30cm of solid wood above notch 4. Check your deadman/anchors at least daily to pick up on the unexpected. This small hole started appearing after heavy rain but was picked up in the daily guy rope anchor checks and rectified.
2
3
1
4
November 2022 | NZ LOGGER 49
top spot Safety/performance/quality
Chainsaw safety features damaged
Chainsaw safety mitt – the top rivet has popped. This is very common throughout the country.
Another damaged safety mitt. A mitt should never get to this point.
50 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
Exhaust screw missing from muffler cover. This is another common one that seems to come loose.
Chain catcher missing.
The top rivet has gone on this one as well.
NEW IRON CAT 538LL FOR TUMEKE LOGGERS Tākaka-based Tumeke Loggers recently took delivery of a new Next Generation Cat 538LL forest machine in the Nelson Bays. They say moving from the previous generation of Cat forestry machines to the new 538 model is a game changer, with the unit providing enhanced power, speed, and operator comfort. Sold by Terra Cat Account Manager, Jayden Peek.
NEW SANY FOR STOKES LOGGING Rick and the crew at Stokes Logging have taken delivery of a Sany 305H with a DC winch package. This machine is currently working in their Northland operation for Northland Forest Managers. Sold and serviced by Shaws.
TIGERCAT FOR VOLCANIC PLATEAU HARVESTING Vince Yeoman from Volcanic Plateau Harvesting recently took delivery of a new Tigercat 875E logger which replaces a bigger processor. Vince says he went for the more nimble, economical Tigercat 875E as it could equally preform a duel role as a harvester and processor. Laz, the operator (pictured second from the left), is rapt with his new Tigercat after the first day of operating it. He says the extra slew speed over his old processor is very noticeable.
FALCON WINCH ASSIST FOR BRC LOGGING BRC Logging in Gisborne has recently taken delivery of a new Falcon Winch Assist built on a Volvo EC250D. Machine sold and commissioned by Hayden Thorn and Jason Moore of DC Equipment.
November 2022 | NZ LOGGER 51
NEW IRON
NEW MACHINERY FOR CHRIS HURRING LOGGING
JOHN DEERE FOR ROSEWARNE AND RINGROSE
Chris and Nicky, owners of Chris Hurring Logging on the East Coast, have replaced their older SH370TLFS-5 with a new 5040 fitted with a Woodsman Pro 850. They are rapt with the speed, stability, comfort and how the new model drives the head.
Rosewarne and Ringrose have added another John Deere machine to their already impressive fleet. This 2156G was delivered into the Woodhill Forest to carry out loading and fleeting duties. Sold and supported by the AGrowQuip team in Whangarei. Pictured here is Scotty Ringrose taking delivery of the machine.
JOHN DEERE 750L DOZER FOR BBL CONTRACTING A new John Deere 750L Dozer replaces a loyal 750J Dozer for BBL Contracting, working at the company’s roading crew near Wairoa. The new 750L dozer is fitted with slope control, an OEM based 2-D Grade control system ideal for bush roads and skids. The machine’s operator, Jaylan, quickly got to terms with the slope control system and was away pushing dirt in no time. Machine sold and supported by AGrowQuip Hawkes Bay and East Coast. Pictured from left: Gary, Mo, Bongs, Blair, Jaylen, Paul (AGrowQuip) and Tony (aka Irish).
52 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
ANOTHER TIGERCAT FOR FAST GROUP Tokoroa-based Fast Group has added another Tigercat forwarder to its operation in Kinleith. This one is a 1075C and is working in Fast 34, operated by Codie Waerea.
NEW IRON
NEW SATCO FOR MAHUTA LOGGING Mahuta Logging has a new SATCO 630E felling grapple on an ELTEC 317. The first comment from Hayden after he had been running the machine (falling and shovelling stems) was, “the 630 has plenty of grab power”.
TIGERCAT FOR MCCALLUM HARVESTING McCallum Harvesting has taken delivery of a new Tigercat 865 log loader, fitted with a Duxson Grapple. They say the speed, power and visibility of this 865 is outstanding.
CAT 336GC FOR DG GLENN LOGGING SANY FOR SPEIRS LOGGING Blake, Caree and the team at Speirs Logging have taken delivery of their first Sany SY305H log loader, complete with full Ensign guarding package and 1730 Grapple. This machine is performing shovelling and fleeting duties for their operation in Gisborne. Sold and serviced by Shaw’s.
DG Glenn Logging has taken delivery of a new Cat 336GC processor that has been put to work in its Mohaka Forest operation in Hawkes Bay. The unit features a 750 Woodsman head and an Ensign guarding package. Machine sold by Terra Cat Territory Account Manager, Heath Stewart.
November 2022 | NZ LOGGER 53
NEW IRON
NEW MACHINERY FOR SPEIRS LOGGING The team at Speirs Logging have taken delivery of a SANY SY415H with a fully equipped EMS Harvestline package and Hawkeye grapple carriage. This machine has been added into their ground base and road lining operation in Gisborne. Sold and serviced by Shaw’s.
NEW SUMITOMO FOR KAKAHU LOGGING Kakahu Logging recently took delivery of a new Sumitomo SH250LF-6. Joe says he loves the ease of the machine and ability to multitask between the grapple and bucket set up.
CAT 330 FOR GILL CONSTRUCTION ANOTHER SUMITOMO FOR FAST GROUP Fast Group has added another Sumitomo to its fleet with this one being a SH370-5TLFS with PFS guarding and cabin and fitted with a Waratah HTH625C. This machine is processing in Crew 54 and is operated by David Hatcher, otherwise known as “Scooter”.
54 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
Reuben Gill of Blenheim-based Gill Construction has taken delivery of a new Cat 330 excavator which is being used for forestry roading in Marlborough. Operator, Corey Taylor, says he loves the climbing power and the sheer grunt of the Cat when it comes to pushing over trees and getting the job done! Machine sold by Terra Cat Territory Account Manager, Andy Bunny.
NEW IRON
KOMATSU/SOUTHSTAR COMBO FOR TUMEKE LOGGERS Daniel Solly has taken delivery of a new Komatsu PC300 running a new FD750 Southstar falling head. Sold by Southstar Equipment, New Zealand.
SUMITOMO/WOODSMAN COMBO FOR ROXBURGH CONTRACTING Roxburgh Contracting has recently taken delivery of this Sumitomo 5040, fitted with a Woodsman Pro 850 processing head. Operator, Rodger, says he highly rates the speed and power of this combination.
SECOND FALCON FOR MANGOIHE LOGGING Bryan McCarthy of Mangoihe Logging has taken delivery of a new Falcon Winch Assist, built on a CAT 330G base machine. It is currently working in the Hunterville area. This is Terra Cat’s second Falcon Winch Assist. The sale was made by Heath Stewart of Terracat and commissioned by the team at DC Equipment.
November 2022 | NZ LOGGER 55
IN-FIELD HYDRAULIC HOSE EMERGENCY REPAIR KITS
MACHINERY SALE 2018 Timberpro TF840C Forwarder 5,016 hrs
Includes fire system and blade with blade extensions. Rebuilt grapple and recent transmission upgrade. Regular servicing with agent.
$795,000+GST 2019 Tigercat LH855E Harvester 4,467 hrs
c/w 2018 Waratah HTH624C Processing Head with Bigwood Drive Motors, Colour Marking, 360 degree Rotation Hose Through, Alpine rollers, Electronic Calipers, Suregrip Handles & GPS Regular servicing with agent.
$795,000+GST
2019 Komatsu PC270LC-8 Excavator 4,987 hrs
c/w 2020 Duxson GX181HD Grapple Grouser extensions. Regular servicing with agent
LG33006
$320,000+GST
2011 Volvo FC2421C Excavator 12,084 hrs
c/w Duxson GX171HD Grapple approx. 4500 hrs. Tidy for age, regular servicing with agent
$125,000+GST
CONTACT MATT 022 365 6301
Current Used Stock For Sale OCTOBER 2022
SUMMER LOG SKIDDER SPECIALS 2012 Tigercat 635D Skidder
2016 Tigercat 610E Log Skidder
15,000 hrs, large fuel tank, 30.5 rear tyres, Ex Palmerston North
7,556 hrs, with 15 ft grapple, large fuel tank & extra lighting package, Ex Taupo
$220,000.00 + GST
$190,000.00 + GST
NOW $195,000* +GST
NOW $160,000* +GST
D124105 #6351141
2018 Tigercat 635G Log Skidder
2013 Tigercat 630D Log Skidder 12,852 hrs, 19 ft grapples, gd rear tyres, near new band tracks on front, Ex Taupo $160,000.00 + GST
NOW $125,000* +GST
D125493 #6101195
SOLD
D123985 #6303497
5,800 hrs, 30.5 rear tyres, front band tracks & large fuel tank, Ex Dunedin $415,000.00 + GST
NOW $350,000* +GST D128946 #6353056
2014 Tigercat 635D Log Skidder
2018 Tigercat 635G Log Skidder
8,400 hrs, 25 ft grapple, large fuel tank, 30.5 rear tyres, Ex Whangarei
7,400 Hours, 25 ft Grapple, Large fuel tank, 4 New 780mm Tyres and band Tracks, Ex Taupo
$335,000.00 + GST
$430,000.00 + GST
NOW $270,000* +GST
D128160 #6351246
NOW $420,000* +GST D130518 #6353042
2017 Tigercat 615E Log Skidder
2014 Tigercat 635D Log Skidder
8,000 hrs, large fuel tank & grapple. Currently on hire, Ex Taupo
9,500 hours,25ft Grapple, Good Rubber & 30.5 Rear Tyres Ex Taupo
$295,000.00 + GST
$280,000.00 + GST
NOW $280,000* +GST
D127092 #6151017
NOW $270,000* +GST
D127089 #6351229
2017 Tigercat 632E Log Skidder
2012 Tigercat 610C Log Skidder
8,900 hours, 23ft Grapple, Large Fuel Tank Ex Taupo
6,838 hours, 15ft Grapple & Winch ex Palmerston North
$270,000.00 + GST
$160,000.00 + GST
NOW $210,000* +GST
D129869 #6320118
NOW $150,000* +GST
D129006 #6100462
2013 Tigercat 630D Log Skidder
2016 Tigercat 635E Log Skidder
10,136 Hours, 19ft Grapple, Winch, Needs 3 new tyres & excludes Band Tracks
5,774 hrs, new tyres all round with 780mm rear tyres, large fuel tank, near new rear bands & a 25 ft grapple, Ex Whangarei
$125,000.00* +GST
$475,000.00 + GST
D132281 #6303533
NOW $450,000* +GST
D128701 #6352071
Lending is subject to Speirs Finance Group lending criteria, terms, and conditions.
Get in touch with your local AB Equipment Branch today. Marcus Bourke Northland 027 241 6126 I Phil McKenzie Central North Island 027 565 3956 Ben Kendrick Gisborne Hawkes Bay 021 658 554 I Ryan Petersen Lower North Island 027 221 3293 Martin Talbot-Price Upper South Island 027 574 1712 I Hayden McCulloch Lower South Island 027 288 1952
0800 30 30 90 I abequipment.co.nz 58 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
*Ts&Cs apply.
STRONG & RELIABLE GRAPPLES STRONG && RELIABLE RELIABLE GRAPPLES GRAPPLES STRONG Made in NZ
Grapplesand andall allspares sparesinin Grapples stockwith withovernight overnightdelivery delivery stock
SERIES852 852and and864 864 MMSERIES STRONG&&RELIABLE RELIABLE STRONG GRAPPLES GRAPPLES
Knight Logging Ltd
• M SERIES 852 AND 864 – STRONG & RELIABLE GRAPPLES • GRAPPLES AND ALL SPARES IN STOCK WITH OVERNIGHT DELIVERY • PROVEN AFTER SALES SERVICE
ProvenAfter AfterSales Sales Proven Service Service
LG31252
ContactMarty MartyororBruce Bruce Contact Ph027 027324 3249091 9091 Ph 79Chambers ChambersStreet, Street,Tokoroa Tokoroa 79 enquiries@cdlloggrapples.co.nz enquiries@cdlloggrapples.co.nz
A DIVISION OF
Hauler Engineering Ltd 021 365 812
Brightwater yarder parts + servicing – 70 main/tail shafts in stock Sept – genuine Witchita 19kk parts in stock Sept – Gears all engineered parts available
Brightwater yarder grapples + parts
LG29851
upo
NZ LOGGER classified
service@hauler.co.nz
Engine + trans setups with chaincases
Yarder Rebuilds
Yarder clutch convertions with BFG clutches thunderbird 155, 255, 355, TTy70, TMY70-50
SPECIALISING IN BRIGHTWATER YARDERS November 2022 | NZ LOGGER 59
NZ LOGGER classified
PROTECT YOUR POLYCARBONATE WINDOWS
Polycarbonate windows have safety qualities, but they are susceptible to scratching and damage when in the bush causing severe reduction in vision for the operator and creating health and safety issues. We lower the requirement for polycarbonate replacement by applying protective film to your machine windows either in the bush or at the yard. This will assist extending the life of the polycarbonate. Forestry contractors get the benefits of not replacing the polycarbonate - only the film when necessary.
MOBILE SERVICE NATIONWIDE
AFTER
CONTACT: SHANE 027 626 2231 extremewindowtints@xtra.co.nz
@ExtremeWindowTints Extreme_Window_Tints
LG33008
BEFORE
TOUGHEST TRACK GEAR! Keep your forestry machines on track with our new range of genuine BERCO Track Gear now in stock! n Available to suit John Deere 909-959, Sumitomo SH240, SH300, SH350TLFS, Tigercat 855-875 & other forestry models n Premium quality, Italian made Track Gear
used by OEM companies all around the globe
n Heavy duty double & single flange Track Rollers. Bigger Track Chain bushes for longer wear life n 12 month/2000hr warranty on all parts Proven for over 100 years, the BERCO brand is well known for its reliable performance in the most extreme forestry & mining industries around the world.
Call 0800 654 323 now to order your BERCO Track Gear & stay on track for longer!
0800 654 323 | sales@west-trak.co.nz Find your parts at: www.west-trak.co.nz
60 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
NZ LOGGER classified
2016 KOMATSU FORWARDER 865
HOURS: 12000
LG32879
IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. OWNER OPERATOR FROM NEW. ALWAYS WORKED IN THINNINGS. SERVICED REGULARLY, WITH ALL SERVICE HISTORY AVAILABLE. SI LODEC SCALES INCLUDED WITH PRINTER. FULL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM, JUST SERVICED. NEW GRAPPLE FITTED 700 HOURS AGO. LOCATED IN ROTORUA
CONTACT RORY 027 480 2445 AFTER HOURS
2017 Sumitomo SH 240-5 (10,000 hrs)
2017 Sumitomo SH 350-5 (6600 hrs)
2015 Active 60 Hauler 2020 Sumitomo SH300/ (9000 hrs)
Southstar FD750 Felling head (2200 hrs)
High & Wide. Ensign 1530 Grapple Machine is presented in immaculate condition with excellent service history.
$425,000.00 (+gst) c/w Southstar QS630 Processor Immaculately presented machine with excellent service history. Ready to go to work
$525,000.0(+gst) Comes with all rigging, blocks, carriage and 6 electronic chokers. Machine is in excellent condition, ready to go
$515,000.00 (+ gst) Machine presented in excellent condition
Contact Rob bushlinefh@outlook.co.nz 027 5555 192
LG32813
$165,000.00 (+gst)
November 2022 | NZ LOGGER 61
NZ LOGGER classified
Swing Units for Madill’s & Kenworth Logging Trucks Large Stocks of Heavy Alloy Cores & Completes Full Custom Build Service Fast & Efficient
sales@bopradiatorspecialists.co.nz
RADIATORS
62 NZ LOGGER | November 2022
www.chains.co.nz ENGINEERED WITH EXPERIENCE... Clark Tracks from Scotland Single tracks Bogey Tracks 30.5x32 750/55-26.5 35.5x32 780/50-28.5
Trygg Ring Lug Chains from Norway are available from 16mm to 25mm 23.1x26 30.5x32 24.5x32 35.5x32 28Lx26
Chain Protection have been selling these brands of forestry Chains & Tracks for 20+years
Chain Protection Services Ph: 03 338 1552 • E: chainpro@xtra. co.nz • www.chains.co.nz
LG30793
Madill Komatsu CAT Thunderbird John Deere Hyundai Tigercat Sumitomo
CHARGE AIR COOLERS
WE CUSTOM BUILD -STOCK, OVERHAUL & REPAIR WE MANUFACTURE THE BEST HEAVY DUTY CORES IN NZ
OILCOOLERS
BOP Radiators Te Puke 07 5739109 Heat Exchanger Services Hornby Chch 03 3729240
LG32968
INTERCOOLERS
OILCOOLERS
RADIATORS
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FL100 Felling Head Suitable for carriers in 30 tonne + range. Priced from $122,500.00 For more information contact: Karl 021 1926 567 North Island Gerard 0274 794 664 South Island
Waratah FL100 Felling Head
Waratah H212
Waratah 626 Series II
POA
Priced $110,634.00
Waratah 626 Currently under rebuild POA
Refurbished
5%
Priced $150,000.00
Waratah 626
Waratah 625C
Refurbished - Full rotation, Parker valve, H16 or TimberRite POA
Arriving Soon – to be rebuilt. POA
5%
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Priced from $134,413.00
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Delimb Covers Measuring Arm bearing & seal kit
Measuring Wheel & Hardware kit
Chain Guard with hardware kit
Northland Mechanised logging services
Gisborne AB Diesel Ltd
Hawkes Bay Forestry Maintenance HB
Nelson Tasman Heavy Diesel
Blenheim Onsite Mechanical
Greymouth SM Hydraulics
Dunedin Heavy Diesel support
Southland Heavy Equipment Repair
Colour Marking Fluid
Komatsu PC270HW Forestry Cab Options • Komatsu • EMS • Active • Ensign
Factory WG Boom Set
HD Side Doors
Internal Hose Routing
HD Track Skis
HD Slew Guard
Komatsu High/Wide
Komatsu Forest working closely with Komatsu Ltd Japan have developed two new Forest Xtreme models the PC270HW & PC300HW. These two models feature unique forest specifications from the Komatsu Osaka factory; • High & Wide undercarriage / Forestry Boom Set / Forestry Cabin Options supplied from KF are; • HD Guarding Packages / Forestry Cabins / Hydraulic Interface
Komatsu’s unique ‘Forest Combinations’ Komatsu Forest Pty Ltd 15C Hyland Cresent Rotorua, New Zealand John Kosar M: 0274 865 844 Paul Roche M: 021 350 747 E: info.au@komatsuforest.com
